The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday announced the indefinite suspension of Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), and Senator Darlighton Nwokocha (Abia Central) over alleged anti-party activities.
This major disciplinary move followed an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, where the faction adopted recommendations from a five-member panel headed by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi and supported by National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim.
Others suspended include House of Representatives members Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi. The party stated that all six individuals “will no longer act for or on behalf of the Labour Party,” and urged institutions such as the National Assembly, INEC, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to take note of their status.
Ibrahim, who announced the decision on Wednesday, said the suspension was “in line with the Labour Party constitution” and part of ongoing efforts to restore internal discipline. He emphasized that the party is acting decisively to prevent further sabotage from within.
Notably absent from the suspension list is Nenadi Usman, whose name had surfaced in earlier reports. Ibrahim clarified that Usman is not a registered member of the party, but merely associated with the Obidient Support Group that backed LP’s 2023 presidential campaign.
“We won’t honour her with any sanction. She is not a card-carrying member,” he stated, while attacking her political track record and past corruption allegations involving the EFCC.
In a broader swipe, the faction accused Usman of political opportunism and claimed she had pledged loyalty to another political party.
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The LP faction also used the opportunity to deny any plans of merging with other political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Labour Party will contest the 2027 general election as a standalone entity,” Ibrahim affirmed. “We are not in talks with anyone. Those proposing mergers lack the competence to manage such coalitions.”
Since the 2023 general elections, where the LP gained prominence through the Obidient movement and its presidential candidate Peter Obi, the party has been plagued by internal wrangling and power tussles. The suspension of high-ranking figures like Otti and Kingibe marks a dramatic escalation in its internal battles.
Analysts say the action could deepen divisions within the party and pose a threat to its growing influence, especially in South-East and urban centers where it had found strong support.